The squabble left nine intern doctors sleeping in the hospital's waiting area, in their cars or with friends for most of last week. Some of the interns saw patients in shorts and slippers.
The doctors were locked out of Midrand Village where they had been staying since September last year while their quarters at the hospital were being renovated.
Hospital management told them to move into the doctors' quarters on 1 October but inspections revealed that the residence was not fit to live in.
The doctors refused and demanded to stay in Midrand until renovations were completed. On Friday (11 October) the department succumbed.
Gauteng health department spokesman Simon Zwane said: "After a series of engagements with the stakeholders, it was finally agreed that the interns should return to their temporary accommodation to allow the contractors to attend to snags and complete the work to satisfaction."
Officials from the Health Professions Council of South Africa inspected the quarters and identified the work that still needed to be done.
The department has been paying R59,00 a month for each of the seven flats at Midrand Village. The cost for another three months will amount to R123,900.
Dr Jabulani Mbazima, who represents the doctors, said they were happy to go back to the village.
"It's unfortunate that the department will spend so much money for something that could have been prevented had the renovations been properly done. We are happy that we finally have a place to stay," he said.
Source: Sowetan via I-Net Bridge
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